Defense Primer: Military Service Academies (CRS Report for Congress)
Release Date |
Revised Sept. 16, 2024 |
Report Number |
IF11788 |
Report Type |
In Focus |
Authors |
Kristy N. Kamarck, Hibbah Kaileh |
Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
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Summary:
The U.S. military service academies are tuition-free, fouryear degree-granting institutions operated by the military
departments. The academies are a major officer
commissioning source, along with the Senior Reserve
Officer Training Corps and Officer Candidate School. The
military service academies under the Department of
Defense (DOD) include the
• U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, New
York, under the Department of the Army;
• U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, Maryland,
under the Department of the Navy (Navy and Marine
Corps); and
• U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs,
Colorado, under the Department of the Air Force (Air
Force and Space Force).
There are two other federal service academies, the U.S.
Coast Guard Academy, in New London, Connecticut, under
the Department of Homeland Security; and the U.S.
Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, New York, under
the Department of Transportation. While graduates of these
service academies may also receive an officer commission
upon graduation, they differ from the military service
academies in many respects (e.g., statutory authorities,
application and acceptance processes).